‘Port Hedland Is Back On Track’: Commissioner

TOWN of Port Hedland Commissioner Fred Reibeling says the once-dysfunctional Pilbara council is back on track after it was suspended over complaints of bullying, harassment and in-fighting.

The former Labor MP told StreetWise by the time his six-month commission expires, “we will have in place a sensible council that makes rational decisions”.

The council sacking in July forbids councillors from making decisions or engaging with staff. They also cannot take part in the October 19 local government elections.
Five councillors will be returned at the end of the six-month suspension in January. Four councillors whose terms expire next week will face an extraordinary election next year.

Mr Riebeling said if one or more of the five resigned then the minister has the capacity to dismiss the other four councillors and extend the suspension for another 12 months.
Asked whether Port Hedland was in a position to host the 2020 COAG (Council of Australian Governments) meeting, Mr Riebeling said: “We look forward to seeing them. I would be disappointed if Port Hedland was not part of the next COAG meeting.”

Premier Mark McGowan informed WA Parliament on August 13 that COAG had met only once outside a capital city, held in Cairns the previous week: “I put it to the Prime Minister and other Premiers that they should come to Western Australia – they were all in furious agreement – and I said, ‘But we’re going to the Pilbara!’”

The PM was cool. But, “I saw a lot of glum looks around the table. It will either be Karratha or Hedland. I will ensure that Premiers, chief ministers and the Prime Minister – whoever might want to – will have a look at where a large proportion of Australia’s wealth comes from.”

Mr Riebeling said: “I think we have facilities to be able to hold meetings here. And I think it would be wise that part of the COAG meeting was held in Port Hedland. We’ve sent letters off to the premier asking that we want to be part of it.”